Quantum Leap: Anti-Aging Drug Discovered; Test In Humans Underway (Photo @Pixabay)
In a breakthrough development, scientists have discovered a drug that can increase the lifespan of animals by nearly 25%, one of the long quest for humans. To the humans’ excitement, the research has also indicated that the drug might slow down ageing in them too. The study, published in the peer-reviewed research journal, The Nature, on July 14, revealed the quantum leap in the scientific world.
The scientists experimented with mice known as “supermodel grannies” and treated them with the drug, showing youthful appearance compared to unmedicated peers. The researcher also found that the mice that they treated were more healthier, and stronger and developed fewer cancers.
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The study found that the lifespans of laboratory animals have increased by 20 to 25%. Notably, the drug’s effect is currently under test in humans, and it is unknown whether it would have the same anti-ageing effect in humans too.
The experiment was done by a group of scientists at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Science, Imperial College London and Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore. The scientists at the institute examined the a protein called interleukin-11, and observed the changes in the human body according to its variation. The researchers noted that as human gets older, the interleukin-11 level increase, contributing to higher levels of inflammation, and thus causing flips in biological switches that determines aging pace.
The study result showed that the mice lacking interleukin-11 had far lower levels of the disease while the mice medicated laboratory mice. They also showed enhanced muscle function, healthier fur and other health parameters.
What Can Be The Drug’s Result In Humans
Although the researcher found the drug’s positive result in mice, it is unknown whether the human can tolerate the side effects of the drug. It is reported that Interleukin-11 does have a role in the human body during early development, but the role of the mentioned protein later in life is believed to be negative in driving aging.
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However, Prof Anissa Widjaja, one of the researchers from Duke-NUS Medical School, said that although their work was done in mice, they hope that the findings will be highly relevant to human health, given that they have seen similar effects in studies of human cells and tissues.
“This research is an important step toward better understanding ageing and we have demonstrated, in mice, a therapy that could potentially extend healthy ageing,” BBC quoted the professor.
There have been researches exploring ways to expand human lifespan in the history, and the research related to the ageing is currently flourishing across the world with significant investment.
